September 1st And So It Begins

In Israel September 1st means back to school for everyone from Nursery to 12th Grade. All schools, all locations, all pupils.

We are not morning people

DD still thinks it's the law that you have to have your photo taken on the first morning of school. She wasn't happy about it but I got my photo. On the second go she tried not to look so grumpy. We are not morning people and this is the first morning in two months that we've been up before 8.30 am. (Or possibly 9.....or even 10.....etc....). She did go to bed at 8.30 last night but couldn't fall asleep until way after 10. I'm hoping she'll be more tired tonight after the early start to the day.

Looking at the photos I'm struck by how casual she looks compared with the uniforms and proper shoes worn in England. Oh well, we all look smarter in the winter.

I noticed a LOT of families speaking English at the drop off today. Much more than usual. I was dreading telling the new Head Teacher that we are going away next week (it's my father's stone-setting in London). However as soon as she heard my rubbish Hebrew she offered to switch to English which she speaks perfectly. Life just got a lot easier.

(As I write a helicopter has been circling low over our road and over the school. This is ominous as it usually means they are looking for something or someone. And now police sirens have started.)

The new Head was very nice and understanding about it. Whilst agreeing that's it not ideal she accepted my promise to take maths and Hebrew books with us and to keep up with the work. I was worried as she doesn't know me yet - I could be a completely flaky parent who's always flitting off for holidays during the school year, but it was fine.

She tried harder to look happy for this one

After a long and tearful goodbye to the school guard of nine years, at the end of last semester, today he was back at his post. In July we wrote cards, bought him a gift, he sat next to the leaving Head Teacher in the 'Goodbye Assembly' and they both shed a tear. She gave him a hug - it was all very emotional. And here he is back again at his post by the school gate. Whatever, it was good to see him.

I signed up for the afternoon program with homemade lunch at 2.30 pm when lessons end for the day. On the one hand it's more expensive than last year but on the other hand I now only have to send DD with her 10 O'clock snack, plus a little extra for the 1 pm break, and not with lunch as well - that was a killer especially as she won't eat sandwiches or anything that I make really.

I got a slight reduction in price because DD decided to be vegetarian and she's kept to it strictly for about six months now. So she'll just be getting the carbs and the vegetables which she'll have to eat - the afternoon lady is very good at making them eat their lunch.

So that's it. The first morning of 3rd Grade. No big deal - I didn't even have to go to the classroom with DD, she just went ahead. Good luck to us and everyone for a successful and happy school year!